The Character of Walid in Bidaah that Sparks Controversy: A Fictional Story Based on Real Experiences

Kapanlagi.com - The series Bidaah, created by Pali Yahya and produced by Erma Fatimah, is currently a hot topic in Malaysia. This drama boldly raises issues of religious and power abuse by figures who appear holy and blameless.

At the center of the story, the character Walid becomes the figure that provokes the strongest reactions—both from the public and religious circles. Played by veteran actor Faizal Hussein, through his calm, authoritative performance and convincing religious expressions, Faizal successfully makes the character of Walid feel very real.

As the story progresses, viewers are shown how this respected ustaz actually harbors a dark side: manipulative, sly, and using his religious influence to control and exploit his students.

1. True Story

Recently, it was revealed that Bidaah is not just fiction. The producer of this series, Erma Fatimah, disclosed that the story was inspired by her own experience when she was part of a deviant congregation.

"The teachings were correct, the dhikr was correct, all the religious knowledge was perfect," said Erma as quoted from the Majority website. "Suddenly, one day, one of the children in the congregation informed me that the teacher in that congregation had molested him."

Erma added that the victims were not just one, but several young students aged around 18 to 20 years. The incident occurred outside Kuala Lumpur and made her start to open her eyes to the reality of deviations hidden behind the mask of religion.

Erma emphasized that Bidaah is not an attempt to undermine the Islamic faith, but a warning about the dangers posed by certain individuals. "Cults like the one led by Walid in this drama do exist and they are just individuals. It is not Islam that is wrong," she said.

She also expressed hope that Bidaah could raise awareness among many people, especially parents who want their children to learn religion in pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). According to her, good intentions must be accompanied by caution.

"That is why parents should not 'short cut' sending their children to pondok schools, wanting their children to be good, learning religion without checking first," she said.

2. Triggering Controversy

The controversy surrounding the character Walid has sparked widespread discussion. Some viewers welcomed the production team's courage to raise issues deemed taboo. However, many also felt uncomfortable with the portrayal of religious figures in this drama. Several religious institutions even spoke out, urging the public not to equate fictional characters with the reality of religious figures in the real world.

With a realistic approach, stunning performances by Faizal Hussein, and the producer's bravery in sharing personal experiences, Bidaah emerges as a work that is not just entertainment but also a stern warning about the importance of vigilance against the misuse of sacred symbols by individuals who are not trustworthy.

(kpl/phi)